Peak Expiratory Flow Rate In Healthy Rural School Going Children (5-16 Years) of Bellur Region For Construction of Nomogram

IntrOductIOn Respiratory disorders are major group of illness affecting children especially in India and are the important causes of childhood morbidity and mortality. In particular, obstructive airway diseases rise in children due to environmental pollution and other causes. So, assessment of pulmonary function test in such children is very important. The PEFR is one among the lung function test which is helpful in evaluating obstructive lung diseases especially bronchial asthma. It is also helpful in monitoring the disease progression and response to treatment. The Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR) is an effort-dependent parameter, emerging from the large airways within about 100-120 msec of the start of forced expiration. It remains at its peak for 10 msec [1]. It is well documented in literature that a wide range of geographical, climatic, anthropometric, nutritional, and socioeconomic conditions of India are associated with regional differences in lung function [2]. Besides anthropometric and socioeconomic factors, altitude is an important determinant of lung function [3].